Some Aspects of the Spontaneous Solubility Equilibria of Solid Carbonates

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 5 Issue 3 (2000) pp 120-132

Some Aspects of the Spontaneous Solubility Equilibria of Solid Carbonates

Osvaldo R. Cámara

Depto. de Físico Química, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Ciudad Universitaria; 5000-Córdoba. Argentina

Published online: 1 June 2000

Abstract. . In order to adequately carry out the laboratory procedures usually taught in a general analytical chemistry course, students must master the subject of multiple equilibria in aqueous solution, both conceptually and mathematically. The use of a computer program to solve the concentrations of all species at equilibrium with a slightly soluble compound is frequently recommended in the chemical education literature, due to its simplicity and quickness. But, when this calculation procedure fails to consider other important reactions aside from the solubility equilibrium itself, significant differences in the numerical results may be obtained. For several metal carbonates, the usual procedure to calculate their solubilities is to consider carbonate ion hydrolysis as the only additional reaction.

Key Words: In the Classroom; general chemistry

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: ocamara@fisquim.fcq.unc.edu.ar)

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